Expandable beverage cup insulator

ABSTRACT

An insulator for beverage container includes flexible, insulating panels held together by elastic strips. The panels are held together to form a generally conical shape with an opening for receiving and supporting the beverage container. The elastic strips stretch to allow the insulator to expand to accept beverage containers of different sizes and shapes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/562,805 filed on Apr. 16, 2004, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a holder for a beverage, andmore particularly, to a thermal insulator for a beverage container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known cup insulators thermally insulate cold or hot beverages and allowconsumers to comfortably handle the cup or other container. To this end,such insulators commonly include insulating sidewalls joined together toform a tube into which a beverage container slides. For instance, afoam, rectangular sidewall may be glued together at its two, oppositeedges to form an insulating tube. In some instances, the sidewalls areconstructed from an expandable material, such as neoprene, that allowsthe dimensions of the insulator to stretch along the sidewalls toaccommodate slightly different cup sizes.

Although such conventional insulators generally succeed in insulatingcups having sizes and shapes for which the insulators were designed, therange of sizes and types of cups accommodated by such conventionalinsulators remains relatively limited. For instance, conventional foaminsulators expand very little to accommodate different container sizes.Moreover, conventional insulators have straight edges that are notshaped to fit conically shaped beverage cups that taper down from theirrims. That is, conventional insulators are generally designed to fitonly containers that have straight edges, such as a soda can.

Conventional insulators may also not be used effectively with otherbeverage container types, such as “stadium cups.” Because such cups aremeant to be disposable, they are constructed from relatively inexpensiveand flimsy plastic. This plastic material can be crushed or deformed byforces communicated by conventional insulator walls that must bestretched to fit the container.

There is consequently a need for a beverage cup insulator that can adaptto a wider range of beverage container sizes and shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above stated problems of the prior art are addressed by an improvedbeverage container insulator that includes an insulating panel made ofan insulating material. A connecting end of the insulating panel isattached to an elastic strip. The material comprising the elastic stripis typically more stretchable and supple than the insulating materialcomprising the panel. The elastic strip attaches to the connecting endof the insulating panel so as to form a generally cylindrical holderthat has an opening for receiving a beverage container.

The specific shape of the generally cylindrical holder may vary fromprecisely cylindrical to more conical, or tapered. In one preferredembodiment, the insulating panel is made from neoprene, and the elasticstrip comprises spandex fibers. The thermal insulator may be collapsiblefor easy transport and stowage, and reversible for aestheticconsiderations. Where desired, the insulator may include a base and/or alid.

Various additional advantages, objects and features of the inventionwill become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artupon consideration of the following detailed description of embodimentstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with a general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a cup apart from an insulator having elastic strips thatare consistent with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the cup of FIG. 1 fitted inside the insulator with theelastic strips stretched to accommodate the dimensions of the cup.

FIG. 3 shows the insulator of FIG. 1 taken from the perspective of itsbase and side.

FIG. 4A shows a top view of an insulator that is consistent with theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows a top view of the insulator of FIG. 4A stretched to fit acup.

FIG. 4C shows an exploded view of an elastic strip of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4D shows an exploded view of another embodiment of an elastic stripof an insulator that is consistent with the principles of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 shows an insulator that has been reversibly collapsed in a mannerthat is consistent with the principles of the present invention forstorage and/or transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present invention include an insulatorhaving flexible, insulating panels held together by elastic strips. Inone embodiment, the panels are held together to form a generally conicalshape with an opening for receiving a beverage container. The elasticstrips stretch to allow the insulator to expand to accept beveragecontainers of different sizes and shapes. For instance, the sameinsulator may be used to fit either a twenty or thirty-two ounce cup.

FIG. 1 shows a cup 12 and an insulator 14 having elastic strips 22 thatare consistent with the principles of the present invention. Theinsulator 14 includes insulating panels 20 held together by the elasticstrips 22 to form a generally conical shape having top and bottomportions 16 and 18, respectively. The elastic strips 22 and panels 20cooperate to form, expand, and/or compress to conform to an appropriatesize for holding a beverage container.

An elastic strip 22 for purposes of this specification comprises anelastic material configured to stretch and to be attached to a panel. Anexemplary elastic strip may comprise spandex fibers, such as INVISTACorporation's Lycra® or Elaspan®, but other expandable materials may beadditionally or alternatively used. In most cases, the elastic strips 22are more elastic and/or supple than the panels 20, which may otherwisealso be stretchable and flexible. Neoprene material may be used toconstruct the panels 20 of one preferred embodiment of the invention.One skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials, includingfoam, may alternatively or additionally be used. Where desired, panels20 and/or elastic strips 22 may include colors and graphics. Moreover,the insulator 14 may be reversible, i.e., turned inside out to displaydifferent colors and graphics.

The cup 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a typical stadium cup having a lip 24 andgrooves 26, as are commonly known. Where so configured, the lip 24 mayrest on the upper surface 16 of the insulator 14, and/or the sides ofthe cup 12 may be supported by the panels 20 of the insulator 14. Theinsulator 14 generally tapers down from the top surface 15 in a mannerthat is similar to that of the cup 12. In this manner, the insulator 14may conform to different sizes and shapes of beverage containers thatare generally tapered. Moreover, the top portion 16 of the insulator 14may be folded or rolled down to better fit shorter beverage containers.In this manner, the insulator 14 may adapt vertically and horizontallyto fit different beverage containers.

The elasticity of the elastic strips 22 may allow relatively more rigidmaterial to be used for the panels, translating into greater structuralsupport provided by the panels for the cup. For instance, panels reducethe strain on thin-walled cups, as compared to conventional insulatorsidewalls that have no elastic strips. When not stretched, the width ofan exemplary elastic strip may be greater than about one millimeter. Thewidth and length of the elastic strip may expand as necessary, e.g.,several centimeters, to accommodate cups of different sizes and shapes.

FIG. 2 shows the cup 12 of FIG. 1 fitted inside the insulator 14 withthe elastic strips 22 stretched to accommodate the dimensions of the cup12. The elastic strips 22 may be attached to a panel 20 by any knownmeans, not limited to adhesives, heat bonding or stitching.

FIG. 3 shows the insulator 14 of FIG. 1 from the perspective of its baseand side. As shown in FIG. 3, a base 18 includes a strap comprising anelastic strip 22. The strip 22 provides additional support for abeverage container seated within the insulator 14. The base 18 may beexpandable to accommodate different container bottoms. In anotherembodiment, panel material may comprise part or all of the base toprovide additional insulation. Dashed lines 28 shown in FIG. 3 denotewhere an additional elastic strip may be used to provide additionalstretching and/or support. In another embodiment, the bottom portion ofthe insulator may be left open, i.e., not having a bottom panel and/oran elastic strap.

Dashed lines 29 shown in FIG. 3 represent slits or other apertures thatmay be made into the surface of the panel 20. The apertures would allowthe insulator 14 to further expand by virtue of the panel 20 havinggreater give. In another embodiment, the apertures could be used withoutthe elastic strips 22, e.g., where the insulator is made of a singlematerial with a sewn or glued seam.

FIG. 4A shows a top view of an insulator 30 that is consistent with theprinciples of the present invention. The insulator 30 includes panels 32attached using elastic strips 34. The elastic strips 34 cross at thebottom of the insulator 30 for additional container support andinsulator stretching. The insulator 30 shown in FIG. 4A does not taperdown from its top surface 36. As such, the insulator 30 may haveparticular application for a can or straight edged bottle.

FIG. 4B shows the insulator 30 of FIG. 4A stretched to fit an insertedcup 38. For purposes of this specification, “cup” may be usedinterchangeably with “beverage container” where appropriate. Moreover, abeverage container may include any container having at least a base andsidewalls to contain a fluid. As shown in FIG. 4B, the elastic strips 34have expanded to conform to the dimensions of the inserted cup 38. FIG.4C shows an exploded view of an elastic strip of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4D shows an exploded view of another embodiment of an elastic stripof an insulator that is consistent with the principles of the presentinvention. An elastic strip 40 is attached to and hold together twopanel ends 42. The elastic strip 40 overlaps the panel ends 42 on a sideof the panels opposite the inserted beverage container 44, forming space41.

FIG. 5 shows an insulator 50 that has been reversibly collapsed in amanner that is consistent with the principles of the present inventionfor storage and/or transport. That is, the panel construction of theinsulator 50 allows it to collapse and lay flat. More particularly, thepanels 52 cooperate with the elasticity of the elastic strips 54 a, 54 band 54 c to fold flatly for convenient transport and stowage.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofvarious embodiments and while these embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limitthe scope of the appended claims to such detail. For instance, thoughshown primarily in the context of stadium cups, one skilled in the artwill appreciate insulators that are consistent with the invention mayadditionally be configured to accommodate cans and bottles. Additionaladvantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in theart.

The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to thespecific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrativeexample shown and described. For example, while an elastic striptypically connects multiple panels, an elastic strip of anotherembodiment may connect a single panel or may attach to an adjacentelastic strip. Though not shown, another embodiment may incorporate alid that may include a panel and/or elastic strip for securing and/orinsulating the beverage. Accordingly, departures may be made from suchdetails without departing from the spirit or scope of the generalinventive concept.

1. A thermal insulator comprising: an insulating panel comprising aninsulating material and having a connecting end; and an elastic stripcomprising an elastic material that is more elastic than the insulatingmaterial and is configured to attach to the connecting end so as to forma generally cylindrical holder having an opening for receiving abeverage container.
 2. The thermal insulator of claim 1, wherein thegenerally cylindrical holder tapers down from the opening.
 3. Thethermal insulator of claim 1, wherein the insulating panel comprises aneoprene material.
 4. The thermal insulator of claim 1, wherein theelastic strip comprises spandex fibers.
 5. The thermal insulator ofclaim 1, wherein the panel and the elastic strip are configured to bereversible.
 6. The thermal insulator of claim 1, wherein the elasticstrip has a width greater than about one millimeter when relaxed.
 7. Thethermal insulator of claim 1, wherein the elastic strip is configured tostretch to a width of over about two millimeters.
 8. The thermalinsulator of claim 1, further comprising a base.
 9. The thermalinsulator of claim 8, wherein the base comprises a strap.
 10. Thethermal insulator of claim 9, wherein the strap comprises at least oneof the elastic strip or a second elastic strip.
 11. The thermalinsulator of claim 8, wherein the base is constructed from an expandablematerial.
 12. The thermal insulator of claim 1, further comprising a lidconfigured to fit over the opening.
 13. The thermal insulator of claim1, wherein the elastic strip overlaps a portion of the connecting end ofthe insulating panel.
 14. The thermal insulator of claim 1, wherein theelastic strip abuts the connecting end of the insulating panel.
 15. Thethermal insulator of claim 1, wherein the insulating panel comprises aneoprene material.
 16. The thermal insulator of claim 1, wherein theinsulating panel comprises a an aperture that increases an ability ofthe insulating panel to stretch to accommodate the beverage container.17. The thermal insulator of claim 1, wherein the thermal insulator iscollapsible.
 18. A thermal insulator comprising: an insulating panelcomprising an insulating material, wherein the insulating panel isconfigured to be formed into a generally cylindrical holder having anopening for receiving a beverage container, and wherein the insulatingpanel includes an aperture that increases an ability of the insulatingpanel to stretch to accommodate a beverage container.